When the Phoenix Sings
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | When the Phoenix Sings |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | Sue Glasgow |
| Cover Artist(s): | |
| Illustrator(s): | |
| Date(s): | June 1993 |
| Medium: | print zine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | gen |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast (TV) |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | online here |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
When the Phoenix Sings is a 138-page het Beauty and the Beast (TV) novel by Sue Glasgow.
Art Information: A portrait of C as Persephone by Terrie Milliman. Picture by Rita Terrell of the author as The Storyteller before a rapt audience of tunnel children, V, and C. Small drawing by the author of V/C's profiles, repeated on the cover.
Zine's Dedication
Dedicated to Lorraine Parrish. Beauty and the Beast helped us find each other. Your generous heart and eager support are very important to me. Thank you, Lorraine, for being my friend.
Lorraine was a vital source of ideas and suggestions in the writing of this story. It has been three years since Lorraine, Elizabeth Lancing, and I sat down together and outlined the concept for "When the Phoenix Sings." I hope they are both happy with the outcome.
Catherine's narration of her visit to Paris was taken directly from Lorraine's personal experience in her own words.
When I asked Teri Milliman for a classical portrait of Catherine as Persephone I had no idea that her illustration would become the inspiration for long passages of the story. Thank you, Teri, for a picture that gave me so many creative ideas.
Rita Terrell and I met for the first time at South of Oz after being pen friends for some time. When she began her drawing of the set of The Storyteller, she asked if it would be all right if she included Vincent and Catherine in the scene. Rita, you put Vincent's hand on my shoulder. Thank you for the dream.
Sample Interior
Reactions and Reviews
In this altogether charming novel, to quote from the flyer, “Vincent and Catherine share an adventure of mystery, magic, and romance in a second season setting.” Shortly before Winterfest, C is learning to dip the special Winterfest candles; V, troubled by recurring dreams of fire, is overburdened because of Father's having broken a hip and because of his own reservations about C's desire to move Below. Father, injured in a fall while trying to halt Mouse in an unwise project, mourns the loss of his beloved first edition of Captains Courageous, inscribed to his father by Kipling himself. And what of the mysterious smoke-damaged boxes that have been sitting in the candleworks for who knows how long, inscribed, on clean labels, TO BE OPENED ONLY BY FATHER THE DAY AFTER WINTERFEST?This is a story with layers, underneath a charmingly readable and varied surface. There are sensuous moments, romantic moments, serious moments, glimpses of both laughter and tension between V/C. There is great warmth here, and fine perceptions of the shifting moods and relationships between people. All mysteries are finally revealed, but not explained away. A portrait of C, semi-nude, as Persephone by Teri Milliman accompanies the zine. A picture by Rita Terrell of the author as “The Storyteller” recounting to a rapt audience of tunnel children (and V/C) the tale of the Prince and his beloved accompanies the text of that story, a bonus. A small drawing by the author of V/C's profiles, repeated on the cover, provides the zine's only other art.
This zine is bound to be a favorite for reading and rereading for many years to come. [1]
There's a wonderful Classic BATB zine by Sue Glasgow called 'When the Phoenix Sings' (7/93). It's still one of my all-time favorites and I reread it regularly. She puts a twist on the Phersephone mythology and makes her a very willing bride to her dark, underground groom, unhappy to return to her family 'above' : > but like a dutiful daughter with responsibilities doing it nonetheless, for six months out of every year. The story isn't an alternate universe one, but she makes use of the theme of Phersephone on several levels - a children's class below that Catherine's teaching involving mythology along a recurring dream Vincent has which involves the Kristopher and Mr. Smythe, of 'When the Blue Bird Sings' (hence the title). Along with these two is the sudden reappearance of a helper who coincidentally went to college with Catherine. He later becomes a well-known portrait artist, and what-do-you-know, has done some
- very* interesting pics of Cathy from her college days and just happens to
have them in his portfolio when he makes a visit back to NY and the tunnels. No, he and C were not an item, but it seems C did some body modeling in her risque youth for some art classes at Radcliffe. They're supposed to be studies of body types, no heads, but apparently he worked on a project long term, using C (unbeknownst to her) as his subject which involved - you got it - the Phersephone myth. Seems everyone at winterfest sees the headless body work, but only V gets a glimpse of the later project and puts it all together. The dream plays out to a resolution in real-life, putting Vincent in jeopardy and bringing Catherine to his aid in a very delicate way - you'll *love* this scene!!! Throughout the whole thing it seems that poor Vincent can't escape the various conversations and remarks - by the children of all things - about Phersephone and their innocent speculation that they think she was one happy camper with oh-so-romantic bride-groom. It's inevitable, of course, and Romance ensues in a very satisfactory way ; > Sigh!
Sue does a wonderful job of mixing romance, love, tenderness, eroticism and the bond - all absolute musts, imo, for good V&C romance stories. She's also good at surrounding the two heroes with secondary tunnel characters and making them all come to life, but it's Catherine and Vincent who hold you enthralled throughout this story. There's this one scene (the one where C is caring for V) that just knocks my socks off each time I read it - wow! Search out the lending library, guys, and find this gem if at all possible! It's a real keeper!!
P.S. Vincent loves the pics of Catherine, needless to say, and as his old friend Bryce the artist says, 'Vincent's not as prudish as everyone down here thinks he is' - hehehe. [2]